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Armenia aims to become tech hub of South Caucasus with new AI data factory

Armenia aims to become tech hub of South Caucasus with new AI data factory

Armenia is set to host its own artificial intelligence data factory, with the project valued at $500 million and scheduled to begin operations in 2026. This investment initiative is being jointly implemented by Firebird, the Armenian government, and NVIDIA, JAMnews has reported. “FirebirdCloudAI is Armenia’s largest and most important tech investment the country’s ‘Stargate’. The idea was born when Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, visited Yerevan in 2023. Today, it’s becoming reality. The AI factory, equipped with thousands of Blackwell GPUs, will spark innovation across Armenia,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on X.

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Commentary: Mohammed bin Salman and his quest to reinterpret the relationship between state and religion  in Saudi Arabia

Commentary: Mohammed bin Salman and his quest to reinterpret the relationship between state and religion in Saudi Arabia

In a recent wide-ranging interview Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, appeared to be reinterpreting – if not exactly redefining – the relationship between state and religion in the Kingdom. This is highly dangerous and uncharted territory for a Saudi leader, but something that is absolutely necessary if the Kingdom is to reinvent itself as a modern progressive state, whilst respecting the religious foundations which are part of its legacy and legitimacy.
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No sign of progress in Tunisia's political crisis

No sign of progress in Tunisia's political crisis

Tunisian politics are in stalemate following the president's continued refusal to formalise a ministerial reshuffle in the cabinet of the prime minister, Hichem Mechichi. According to the Ennahda movement, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied refused a proposal for a roundtable talk with Ennahda leader and the speaker of the parliament, Rashid Ghannouchi, and Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. 
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Analysis
Analysis: Why what happens in Greenland matters

Analysis: Why what happens in Greenland matters

The snap elections for the parliament of Greenland last Tuesday (6 April) attracted unusual interest from major powers who have been watching the political and economic impact of the election results on their interests in the Arctic region. Among them, the Chinese, who have invested in the Kvanefjeld mine on the island. Maximiliaan van Lange analyses the background to the recent Greenlandic general elections, and the Island's geostrategic position in the Arctic in this article for commonspace.eu.
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Analysis: Can Arctic routes provide an alternative to the Suez Canal as a major east-west trade route?

Analysis: Can Arctic routes provide an alternative to the Suez Canal as a major east-west trade route?

The recent blockage of the Suez Canal by the 400-metre-long 'Ever Given' container ship exposed the vulnerability of global trade routes. It reopened the debate about alternative routes, including the opening of the Northern Sea Route via northern Russia, and the Northwest Passage via northern Canada. These routes, however, are not without their problems. Maximiliaan van Lange analyses the background and current thinking in this article for commonspace.eu.
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Pandemic puts pressure on Gulf States sovereign wealth funds

Pandemic puts pressure on Gulf States sovereign wealth funds

Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf countries are facing unprecedented challenges due to the rise of deficit and pressure to increase financial obligations to their public budgets. The drop in crude oil prices, caused by the pandemic last year, forced Gulf countries to increase their borrowing and thereby withdraw from their sovereign wealth funds.
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Azerbaijan to spend $59 billion to rehabilitate territories, but development also requires peace

Azerbaijan to spend $59 billion to rehabilitate territories, but development also requires peace

Azerbaijan plans to spend up to $59 billion over the next ten years to rehabilitate the territories it has recently taken back after being for decades under Armenian control. It is a huge sum even for an oil rich country, but for President Ilham Aliyev developing the new territories now has become the primary mission of his presidency.